All Highland schools to close on Thursday due to strike action by teachers
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Highland Council has confirmed that it will close all schools across the region on Thursday due to strike action by teachers and head teachers amid safety concerns.
The local authority says it received notification of the strike from the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and the Association of Head Teacher and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS) unions.
So the council has decided to close the following to pupils on Thursday November 24:
- all primary schools, including local authority early learning and childcare settings
- all secondary schools
- all special schools and off-site provision
- there will be no school crossing patrols
- there will be no school transport on the day.
In a statement, the council said: “The safe supervision of children and young people is of utmost importance and, given that we anticipate significantly reduced numbers of both management and teaching staffing in schools and early learning and childcare settings, a decision has been made to close all educational establishments to pupils.
“It is hoped that a clear decision will enable parents and carers to plan ahead for the disruption expected. A letter has been sent to all parents this morning (Friday 18 November) through the usual school channels.
“A BACS payment will be made for those children and young people entitled to a free school meal based on low income (not universal entitlement).”
However if the strike was cancelled then the council would consider opening schools on that date and notification of that would come through the local authority’s website, social media and through school communications.
